“So you waited for Mom’s death?”

“I helped it along. A friend of Eli’s showed me how to replace her medications so I could implement my plans. I decided to keep you alive in the event you could be of value.” She finished her coffee. “Besides, you amuse me. It’s like being kids again. You’re such a people pleaser. Reminder, today your purse stays in the car.”

“When are you removing the contract?”

“As soon as you ace all the tests.”

She’d presented me with another reason to find the evidence against her before she bored of me.

In less than an hour, I emerged from my bedroom. Definitely unlike the Shelby Pearce I knew. The clothes, false eyelashes, and makeup changed the outer me, except the determined me existed stronger than before. For a lingering moment, I thought of Denton and if he’d approve of the look. Or any of them. My few days away from him complicated my emotions. I missed him—the laughter, conversations, long walks . . . the way he listened. His love for me seemed like an impossibility. But if I survived this ordeal, he and I might have a chance at happiness.

The conversation with Marissa bumped against my brain. Surely Mom and Dad saw through her ruse. Or maybe they were fearful of losing another daughter and granddaughter.

At the restaurant entrance, Marissa handed a uniformed valet her keys. She’d chosen a sophistication of her own identity and not a disguise. We walked inside, and she garnered admiration from every male, young and old. A trim man standing near the corner caught her eye, and her soft voice rose. “Feng, how kind of you to join me for lunch.”

“My pleasure. Who is with you?”

“This is Shelby Pearce, my sister and new assistant.” Without turning to me, she continued. “Shelby, Feng owns several restaurants. We’ve been close friends for a long time.”

He nodded. “You never mentioned having a sister or needing an assistant. We have matters to discuss.” His obvious annoyance ushered in an uncomfortable pause.

“I trust her implicitly,” Marissa said. “Nothing jeopardizes what you and I have together. Or the future.”

“All right.” He pointed toward a double door. “After you, ladies.”

During lunch Marissa displayed another feature of her evolving personality—graceful gestures, respectful and complimentary word choices, and an apparent concentration and attentive focus on Feng. She still played games.

“Will I see you in San Francisco?” he said.

“Just as we planned. Will John be there?”

“He wouldn’t miss the opportunity. His offer to us still stands.”

“I haven’t decided. The decision is complicated.” She pursed her lips.

“The meeting is in two weeks. Marry me, Marissa, and we’ll build a vast empire.”

Marissa reached across the table and took his hand. “I’m afraid, darling.”

Why the vulnerability? Unraveling my sister seemed impossible.

In the car, I closed my eyes to mentally seal all I’d observed. Marissa had given Feng my entire name but not his. Always a reason . . . to show she respected his investigation of me but kept his status secret?